Depression is trivialised in our mundane glossary and operates as a trifling adjective, often indicating minor emotional discomfort; but it can cause irreparable damage. When celebs like George Michael, JK Rowling, Deepika Padukone, and Shah Rukh Khan have admitted to slipping into it, it’s time to detonate it as a taboo. ANANYA BORGOHAIN explores the mental health condition and finds out about ways to deal with it

In August 1975, Bruce Springsteen wrote his song Born to Run. Its lyrics read, “In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream/At night we ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines/Sprung from cages out on highway nine/Chrome wheeled, fuel injected, and steppin’ out over the line/H-Oh, Baby this town rips the bones from your back/It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap…”

Now, 41 years later, he writes in his autobiography, which will release two weeks from now, also titled Born to Run, about how he has battled depression. Springsteen’s father’s family had psychological issues, such as agoraphobia and hair-pulling disorders, and he first saw a psychotherapist over 30 years ago. But by the time he reached his 60s, particularly from 2010 onwards, he recalls being gripped by a sense of heartbreaking nihilism. The much-loved singer, who has been revered by generations that he touched with his smoky voice, is one of the many celebrity names that joined the list of people suffering from depression.

Singer George Michael, model Brooke Shields, actor Owen Wilson, author JK Rowling are said to have gone through it. What is peculiar is that people admired for their humour quotient have been at the receiving end of depression as well. Comedians like Emma Thompson, Jim Carrey, Rodney Dangerfield have slipped into depression. And which fan could forget the day when news broke that the charismatic and ever so pleasant Robin Williams had killed himself; just like Heath ledger had. Closer home, rapper Honey Singh shocked everyone when he disclosed his mental health status recently. Other celebrities who spoke about suffering from it were actors Manisha Koirala, Deepika Padukone, and the ‘king’ Shah Rukh Khan himself.

Imagine being strangled with such a ruthless force that makes you gasp for breath but nobody can hear you; imagine being pushed into a dark abyss; imagine only the scratches you made on the walls in frustration bearing testimony to your existence. Imagine the disillusionment when you give up on life. Imagine survival without the capability of hope. Depression has been so trivialised in our mundane, colloquial glossary that it has started to operate like a trifling adjective, often indicating minor emotional discomfort. Dangling between two extremes, it is considered to be either a taboo or a negligible ache that requires no special attention.

Ironically, we are a nation with 36 per cent of the population suffering from depression, according to the WHO. That makes us one of the most depressed countries in the world. However, we still refuse to empathise with depression and make it a part of our collaborative conscience. From a layman to much sought-after celebrities, depression has been indiscriminating and yet we are more comfortable with shying away from it.

When Deepika came out with her account of surviving depression last year, the country sang laurels of her bravery. While that was indeed courageous of her to reveal, one needs to understand that her boldness is contexualised in the fact that public figures, especially from her fraternity, often try to present themselves as beacons of perfection and inspiration. What one needs to realise is that it’s high time these symbols of flawlessness need to be detonated and imperfection should be acknowledged with as much humility and respect.

According to her psychiatrist, Dr Shyam Bhat, depression is treatable but counsel should be sought from professionals. Calling heartbreak one of the most common factors leading to depression among the young generation, Bhat believes that both genetic attributes and emotional stress could trigger depression. If not treated in time, it could also cause dysfunctional memory and an imbalance in personal and professional life.

WHAT IS DEPRESSIONIJ

Depression is a medical illness that can severely impact a person’s bodily and psychological states. Not only does it affect interpersonal relationships but depression could also deter one from living an everyday life. Beyond being just a mood disorder, it can influence our sleep patterns, appetite, and professional commitments. These hurdles should last for at least two weeks before depression could be clinically diagnosed.

Some of the types of depression are:

Dysthymia: This state of mind lasts for a minimum of two years. It is persistent and its degree may vary within those first two years.

Perinatal: This is experienced by women who are pregnant or have given birth. It’s serious in nature and can cause major anxiety, exhaustion and sense of forlornness. Depression that results after delivery is also known as postpartum depression.

Seasonal affective disorder: This form of depression is most experienced in winter. It can cause a tendency to withdraw from social involvement, weight gain, and sleepiness. It lessens with the onset of summer.

Psychotic: This form of depression emerges when an already depressed person also starts showing symptoms of psychosis. Sadness merged with hallucinations or delusions could lead to psychotic depression.

SYMPTOMS

The early signs of depression could come across as vague and mundane. However, do not overlook it if you experience these:

• Feeling gloomy
• Suicidal tendencies
• Inexplicable drop or increase in weight
• Disturbed appetite
• Erratic sleeping patterns
• Exhaustion
• Getting restless and moving hands and legs faster but speaking softer
• Disillusionment and hopelessness
• Feeling guilty
• Feeling irritated
• No inclination to have sex
• Sudden body ache
• Crying unexpectedly

CAUSES

Genes: A family with a history of mental disorders propels its members towards those illnesses more than others.

Circumstances in life: We are all victims of circumstances. Utopia still does not exist and most often we are left to fend for ourselves against the conspiring energies of the universe. Regardless of one’s stature — culturally, financially, socially — stress and anxiety always find a way to assault everyone. Reportedly, over a lakh suicides happen in India every year. Most youngsters slip into depression due to unrequited love or break-ups. This, along with various other stressors, such as indignation, financial loss, divorce, and crisis at home could cause depression.

Unhealthy lifestyle: live life healthily; with proper food, adequate rest and the zeal for happiness. Erratic timings of eating and sleeping could have a negative impact.

Substance abuse: This has been a major cause for hallucinations and delusions. Not only does it affect our body, it compromises our mental health and ability to comprehend.

Treatment

It is possible that one may not even know when one is depressed. In which case, one should be highly aware of the self and any unexpected and unexplained change in mood should be closely observed. Here are some ways to effectively deal with the illness:

Get professional help: Medication could be imminent to cure depression. Instead of talking to close friends, family and well-wishers, it’s important to meet a psychiatrist instead. Talks as well as comfort foods such as pizza or chocolate are temporary solution to a damaging issue. It’s crucial to consult a psychiatrist or a psychologist.

Denounce social stigma: Most cases of depression accelerate towards suicidal tendencies and even death because people hesitate to accept and talk about it. The shame attached to being, say, chronic depressive, needs to be eliminated.

Depression could wreak havoc in anyone’s life; nobody is immune to it. Therefore, the collaborative sense of condescension towards mental disorders and mental health in general should be denounced. Compassion and empathy need to been encouraged. Only then will people walk into a psychiatric clinic without any feelings of guilt. In India, psychiatric disorders are still seen as a social evil and it is not only regressive but also dangerous enough to impact an entire family. In fact, if untreated, one’s depression could also lead to unleashing violence upon society.

learn to detach: Unconditional loving may be ennobling but it could also make one dependent upon the object of affection. Compromising on one’s own sense of self-worth just to please others could be a major cause for depression. Most people in, say, romantic relationships, are left with traumatising experiences when they feel that their love is not reciprocated. Many others indulge in superficial romances to fill a void in their life. Both lead to severe mental stress. Stockholm syndrome, for instance, is one such situation where hostages makes peace with the captors after internalising their hopelessness.

Break free from abuse: It’s extremely significant for one to condemn any form of abuse. It could be in the form of drug abuse, as well as sexual, physical and emotional abuse. It could happen to oneself as well as to others. Regardless, what needs to be done is to report against them and take legal help when required. Abusive relationships with friends, family, lovers, and society in general, have always been a common cause for depression. Once we clear the fears of what judgement society will pass on us for our decisions, the mind can be freed from irreparable damages.

Counsel from well-wishers: If you are scared of approaching professionals, confide in someone who wishes you well. Ask them to help you find suitable clinics and ask them to accompany you.

Read mental health literature: Familiarise yourself as much as possible about depression and form sound knowledge about it. Surf the internet as well read books and accounts of people who have gone through it as well as reports — personal, journalistic, academic — of mental health professionals who have explained how they have handled it.

Approach volunteering organisations: Do not hesitate to visit foundations and other health clinics in the area to learn more about it. Attend workshops and talk sessions that are organised by them. The most important step taken to treat depression is to make it ‘normal’. Schools and colleges should take active part in educating society about this disorder. They could also help in creating an egalitarian ambience that nurtures people who are in despair and agony.

Several colleges in Delhi University — including Jesus and Mary College, Keshav Mahavidyalaya, Indraprastha College for Women, Daulat Ram College, Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, lady Shri Ram College — offer undergraduate courses in Psychology as well as hold workshops for students who consider pursuing it as a career. Universities such as Amity, and Jamia Millia Islamia offer the course as well. A few organisations that work towards mental health are The Richmond Fellowship Society at Gautam Budh Nagar; National Institute of Psychiatry at Dwarka; and Delhi Psychosocial Rehabilitation Society at Jor Bagh.

For mental health to be taken seriously, it is important to develop an ambience where it’s no longer a term to demean or tease. Education should bring more responsibility and act as a catalyst to foster our shared senses of right and wrong.

(Inputs from Shraddha Singh) ananyapioneer@gmail.com